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Sunday, March 31, 2013

Happy Easter! I hope this holiday gives you an opportunity to spend time with both family and friends. We are eating Easter Dinner at my daughter's house. There is an egg hunt scheduled for the early afternoon. Im sure the kids will enjoy that.

I finished Stripes sleeping bag, yesterday. I decided to wait until today, to share this little cutie. Back story: Stripes is a stuffed animal (zebra) that my oldest granddaughter has carried around since she was 2. She's 6 1/2 now.

Haley loves pink. I purchased these fabrics from a local sewing center (Joann's). There were originally 4 fabrics that came bundled together, cut into fat quarters. The patterns are bright and simply beautiful together. So, this is my first one. Please have a kind eye, as I am seriously new at sewing.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Aww, the weekend is upon us! This is a welcome break, from the week of work I had. Just busy, busy, busy. So, on this weekend, I don't have any chores to do, or anywhere that i have to be today. so, I have plans to sit at my sewing machine, and finish a sewing project. {smile}

But, before I get to that, I wanted to take a moment to get you inspired to play along with us this week @ Our Creative Corner.Lori, is our hostess this week. She would like you to use two different pattern papers to create a paper craft showing transportation or travel.

The very first thing that I thought of was a travel journal. But, I guess the stress from this week's work, has really blocked me creatively. So, I made a card.

This card is not my 'typical' style, but I do like the clean lines of it.

I used a new DSP paper from Stampin' Up! I used four different pattern papers for this card. The airplane and 'heart' exhaust are heat embossed. The banner piece 'sealed with a kiss' is adhered to the card front with foam tape. I used the tasteful trim die to cut the large scallop trim. I used my 1 1/4" square punch to make the banner end of the striped paper.

Join us this week, and share with us what you have created from our challenges!

When I first saw the sketch, I had several ideas about the trio of partial ovals along one side. I was thinking, buttons, flowers, hearts, . . . you get the idea. Then I was thinking of adding eyelets and lacing ribbon through. But, I couldn't get the idea/theme to move forward. So, I scrubbed that whole thought process. Then it hit me, what about butterflies cascading.

For the cascading butterflies, I applied by 2way glue pen to the edges of each butterfly, and then dunked them in my tub of dazzling diamond glitter. I added tiny pearls to the bodies of the butterflies.

For the large circular object, I went with a doily from the Artisan embellishment kit. But it looked a bit flat, so I stamped a flower on the doily. I stamped the flower image from Oh Hello stamp set, in soft suede classic ink. I thought that shade of brown paired very nicely with the pool party shade of blue.

I wanted to add some pretty embellishments, so I added a metal button from the Artisan embellishment kit. But, I couldn't decide if bakers twine or ribbon or linen thread threaded through the thread holes. So, I added a pearl to help soften the whole look.

I machine stitched a strip of soft suede taffeta ribbon to the front of the card. I threaded the tails of the taffeta ribbon through the thread holes of the vintage faceted button. I tied the ribbon into a simple bow.

I stamped the sentiment in soft suede classic ink along the bottom of my card. I used a sentiment from the Loving Thoughts stamp set.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have been inspired to play along with us @SFF.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

I wanted to just pop-in real quick, to share a little sewing project I started. I was spending time on Pinterest, earlier this week. And I stumbled on this cute sewing project: The Three Bears' Sleeping Bag, by flossieteacakes. What is that? you ask. Well, they are quilted sleeping bags for your child's stuffed animals. How cute is that, right? Well, after some grumbling, I purchased the PDF instructions, and I'm supper happy I did! While I was at the fabric store on Tuesday, I purchased some quilting fabric that I wanted to use, to make my oldest granddaughter a sleeping bag for her stuffed zebra, Stripes. Here are some photos. (I'm not finished with this project, yet.)

top of the mattress

bottom of the mattress

the quilted top

As you can see, I can't sew a straight line, and I need to cut a few more threads. But, this was my first ever attempt at quilting. So, I'm not too hard on myself. All I have left, is the pillow, and the trim. I'm pretty sure Haley, will love it.

I'm fairly new at sewing. I've made a few rag quilt lap blankets, and a few clutches, some fabric coasters, altered one-sies, and now this. So, when I say that you can easily whip one (or more) of these together in a weekend, I'm not kidding. The hardest, but funnest part, is selecting the fabric. There are so many, many different patterns to choose from, I suggest that you have an idea of what you're looking for, before you start looking. As with any project from the heart, the hardest part is starting. But, I'm pretty sure, that once you start, you'll enjoy the process as I have. I'm not sure if it's the hum of the sewing machine, no distractions, or the fact that I am creating, but I truly love the process. So, I guess this little sleeping bag has enriched two lives: Haley's and mine. {smile}.

I hope you get to craft today. I'll post more photos once I finish. Thank you for stopping by.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Welcome. As I have stated before, I'm a crafter at heart. I love roughly all forms of crafting. Yes, even sewing. There is something about the process. Just like paper crafting. Ironing seams and the hum of the machine are actually quite calming.

I wanted to sew something, but I really didn't have a whole day. I had an hour or two, and then I needed to tackle some chores. So, I set out to make a few altered onesies.

The first one is a bunny.

The second one is a giraffe.

I machine stitched everything, except the button eye. I'm pretty happy with how these turned out. I hope you get a chance to create this week. I try to craft everyday. I don't say that I am addicted, I say that I am keeping my sanity. I'm going to make a sleeping bag for my granddaughters stuffed zebra this week, hopefully.

I will have these two onesies for sale in my Etsy shop. Bunny. Giraffe. Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

This week, is underway, and I hope you get a chance to sit and craft. Paper craft is my main crafting medium. But, I do love to sew. And baking is my other passion. Today, I hope to inspire you to play along with us @ Nacho Average Challenge. This week, there is a sketch to play with. I hope you get a chance to play along and create something beautiful.

this week's sketch: NAC #39

what I created:

The card base is basic grey card stock. I added a pattern paper from the Afternoon Daydream scrappin' kit. I matted the pattern paper onto pool party cardstock. I just love this shade of blue. Its so pretty, warm, and easy on the eye. The scallop trim piece is actually a sticker for the scrappin kit. I adhered the scallop trim piece to the pattern paper, then wrapped some crinkled pool party seam binding around the card front. I tied a simple bow to the left.

The sentiment piece is from the Itty Bitty Banners stamp set. I stamped it in basic grey classic ink, onto whisper white card stock. I fussy cut it out. Adhered the sentiment banner to the seam binding with foam tape.

The paper blossom was quite fun to create. I stamped the floral image from Mixed Bunch stamp set three times with versa mark, onto whisper white cardstock. I used pool party embossing powder on two stamped blossoms, and white embossing powder on the third. I used the blossom punch to punch out the shapes. I used my heat tool, to set the embossing powder. I then distressed the ends of the petals with my 2-way glue pen and dazzling diamond glitter. I then used a wooden stick to create the bends in the petals, and help give the layers of blossoms some dimension. I layed the blossoms: pool party, white, and pool party. I used foam tape in between the layers. I tied a simple bow with pool party bakers twine through the vintage faucet button and added a pearl to help keep the look soft, and feminine.

I hope we have inspired you to play along with us @ NAC. We would love to see what you create with our sketch. And who knows, maybe you will be our next Top Nacho {smile}.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

wow, this weeekend is going by too fast. Yesterday, was the big party: our daughter's surprise baby reveal shower. The party was scheduled to start @ 2p. Most folks were there by 245p. So, that in itself was a good thing. The 'surprise' was for our daughter and her husband. They didn't know they are having a boy. The rest of us did {smile}. I was running late yesterday morning, getting everything set up, and so when I got done, my attention was distracted. And I didn't get 'alot' of photos like I wanted. But, I did manage to take one of the cake!

So, let me explain. We through a mustache bash to celebrate the arrival of their new son. So, the banner on the cake says. 'little man'. So, we had decorated everything in blues and browns. Two banners were hung, 'Oh, Boy' and 'Mustache Bash'. We had 3 games to play. All of which are not 'organized' games. These are mingle games . . . games you can play when and if the feeling moves you. 1. pay to play: pay $10, select a day on the calendar when you believe the baby will be born. If you are correct, you get all the $ in the mustache stache jar. How cute, huh? 2. how many diapers. I rolled newborn diapers and placed them in a tall jar. All you had to do, was guess how many diapers. write your answer on a piece of paper with your name. 3. name that famous 'stache. I printed photos from 9 (I believe) famous men, and I covered the top half of thier faces. All you had to do was name who wears the mustache. There were 4 folks who answered the most correct, 7.

We had 2 3-ft subs, 2 pizzas, a green chili lasgne, potatoe salad, pasta salad, a tossed green salad, green chili salsa and regular salsa, a fresh fruit tray and a fresh veg. tray. Everyone pretty much ate all the food. There was only a serving or two of left overs.

We had just as many desserts, too. I made the cake and cupcakes. I packaged a dozen cupcakes to go, that way, if you wanted to take one home, it would survive the ride. There were dark chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, chocolate dipped fruit kabobs, wrapped hershey candy bars, blue bubblegum cigars, and cereal treats. I provided blue polka dot food-safe bags, so you could take a sweet or two home.

I hope everyone had fun, I know the kids did! And congratulations to Tara and Max on the announcement of their new bundle of joy!

Saturday, March 23, 2013

I hope you are enjoying this weekend. I also hope the weather cooperates with whatever you have planned. Me? well, the surprise baby reveal shower is today, so I'm doing those last minutes items that couldn't have been done sooner: last minute food prep, decorating cakes and cupcakes, making the last few side dishes. And then we load everything in the truck, drive into town and set it all up. I just love the whole process. and especially mingling with the guests. LOVE IT! and I hope my daughter loves what we did. I'll post photos tomorrow of our celebration.

Anyways, the lovely and talented Sue from Our Creative Corner has an interesting and very do-able challenge for us this week: kraft and music. Any configuration of music and a kraft card. How wonderfully creative and I'm sure the design team will inspire you to play along with us this week.

Here is what I did:

Here is my CAS (for me) card. The card base is made from crumb cake card stock. The polka dot pattern paper is from Christmas. I can't remember the company or the line. sorry. But I love the worn look. The music pattern paper is from my scrap box, so I can't say for certain who made it. I added a delicate floral lace over the music paper. The blossom is hand-crafted from card stock, two stamps and a die. You stamp the floral image, then use a stamp positioner and stamp the veins of the blossom. Use a template you created with the die, to line everything up, and die cut. I painted the ends with some picket fence distress ink and then dunked the blossoms in dazzling diamond glitter, while the paint was still wet. I used a beautiful pearl brad from my minds eye to hold the three layers of blossoms together. I also staggered them, to give the blossom some air. I stamped the sentiment in basic black classic ink. I used a hand-script stamp set from amuse studios. I just love the font of these hand script sentiment stamps.

Well, I hope you found something useful here, and have decided to play along with us @ OCC. Have a great weekend, and I'll post again, soon!

Friday, March 22, 2013

Happy Friday! I hope all is well, with you. Me, I'm putting the finishing touches of another party. This one is for my daughter and her husband. She is expecting thier fourth child, and we wanted to throw them a party. So, this time, it's a Surprise Baby Reveal Shower. We all know the sex of their baby, but they don't! So, when they arrive to the shower, they will find out if they are having another boy or another girl. How fun, huh? And since it's a surprise, I don't have the help of my daughter. So, I'm doing everything myself. This shower is a typical 'Tara and Max' party . . . the whole family is invited. So, these parties are 70/+ folks attending. That translates to alot of fun to cook, cakes to bake, decorations to make, and numberous invitations, and thank you cards.

Even though I'm struggling with my time management, I did take a break, and change my focus to make a card. A girlfriend is celebrating a birthday, so I wanted to make her something special. Maria, from SKetch Frenzy Fridayhas a wonderfully creative sketch for you to try. Here is her sketch:

Here is my card:

I used some of the new DSP from the Sale-A-Bration catalog. I just love the look of Calypso Coral and Pool Party together. And the bits of Island Indigo and Summer Starfruit, really make the pool party pop!

I cut my own tag, and did some collage stamping. I then added some trinkets and a hand made flower. I used the bloomin' marvelous stamp set to create the flower. I also added a button from the sycamore street collection. The mini bottle cap adds a metallic shine.

I hope you get a chance to play along with us @ SFF. We would love to see what you create!

Saturday, March 16, 2013

I am so happy that it is Saturday. This has been a brutal week at work, and the thought of not dealing with all that, is calming. And so, with this renewed mind set, I have created a Birthday card! The super talented Sue, from Our Creative Corner is our hostess this week. This small group of wonderful ladies, who make up the design team @ Our Creative Corner will surely inspire you with their creations.

For this week's challenge, Sue, has asked us to, to create a 4-sided regular polygon with all sides equal! Commonly known as a square. And you must only use Analogous colors in your design. These colors are in close proximity to each other on the color wheel that share similar hue and saturation.

Ok, I have to admit, when I first read the challenge, I was at a lost of what to create. But, I quickly remembered that I need a few Birthday cards to create, so that is my goal. Now, colors. I had alot of fun creating a green-blue and copper card last week, so I gravitated to a green-blue combos. I added a green and a blue. Then a darker blue. And a richer green. Here is what I ended up with:

I used five different card stocks: Lucky Limeade (Stampin' Up!), Old Olive (Stampin' Up!), Juniper (CTMH), Aqua Mist (Paper Trey Ink), and Twilight (CTMH). I also used four different pattern papers, from four different design companies: SAB 2012 - Stampin' Up!, Cosmo Cricket, Victoria Gardens by Echo Park, and Crate Paper. I used two different trims: seam binding and crocket trim by Stampin' Up!. A button by Paper Trey Ink. A metal button brad by Stampin' Up!, and a metallic paper clip by Basic Grey. Along with several pearls, cream twine, and some machine stitching.

a few close-up photos:

close-up of the layered trims and machine stitching

close-up of the sentiment panel and more machine stitching

a new angle of this card

This card was alot of fun to create. I am still working with just scraps to complete cards. I took me about 50 minutes to find papers that worked together. I know that sounds like alot of time, spent mixing and matching. But, I didn't have to cut any whole sheet of pattern paper or card stock. I did use my paper trimmer to cut down a scrap, but not to add to my scrap boxes. Yes, I have two. They are empty boxes that hold a dozen reams of printer paper. I organize my scraps into color families: blue, green, red, brown, and black/white.

The tiny blossom is actually a stamp and die set. I first stamped the blossom base in Pool Party classic ink, and then stamped the veins in Twilight classic ink. I used the die to cut the two blossoms out, and one foam square separates the two blossoms, so it has height. I brushed some picket fence distress paint along the petal ends and then dunked each blossom into dazzling diamonds glitter. For the leaves, I punched out the leaves from Lucky Limeade card stock with my two-step bird punch by Stampin' Up!. I sponged the leaf edges with old olive classic ink. Then I brushed picket fence distress paint on the leaf tips and then dunked the leaves in dazzling diamond glitter.

I hope that we have inspired you to play along with us this week @ OCC. Who knows, you may be our next Top Talent {smile}!

Friday, March 15, 2013

Happy Friday! I hope your week is going well. Mine, crazy busy at work. I have been coming home exhausted everyday this week. So, the weekend is a welcome site!

And, as it is Friday, the wonderfully talented ladies over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday, have another amazing sketch for you to try. This week, Jennifer is our sketch designer. She has provided a sketch that will allow you some creative freedom. Here is her sketch:

Here is what I created with this beautiful sketch:

This card was a joy to create. I pretty much followed the sketch. Right down to the floral object. The card base is soft suede card stock. The first layer is primrose petals card stock. The main panel is pink pirouette card stock. I used my vintage wallpaper embossing folder. I then rubbed my white craft ink pad across the raised design.

I layered the floral lace and the burlap ribbon, and machine stitched them to the card front. I then tied a simple bow. I added a trio of banner pieces. The blossom I created myself. It was actually alot of fun, and very joyful.

I started with white card stock. I stamped the blossom from Mixed Bunch in pink pirouette classic ink. I stamped 4 blossoms, and then punched them out with the blossom punch. I cut one petal off of one blossom. And I cut two petals off another blossom. Then I cut three petals off the another blossom. And then cut the last whole blossom in half (4 petals on each half). I used a wooden kabob screwer to bend and roll the petals. I used glue dots to hold each layer together, and stacked the blossoms. I used the blossom petal punch to create the leaves. I distressed the leaves by hand. aka: I lightly spritz the leaf with water and hand scrunched and bent the leaf. I distressed the edges of the blossom petals and leaves with white craft ink and glitter. To add a bit some sparkle, I added a scallop circle of champagne glitter paper.

I hope that you get an opportunity to play along with us @ SFF. We would love to see what you create!

I added a hand-stamped Birthday sentiment, that is 4yrs retired from Stampin' Up!.

I also added a shell butterfly pin from my embellishment stash, to this card.

And finally, I added a glue dot to the trio of banners, to help secure them to the card front.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Happy Saturday. This has been a rough week at work. After weeks like this, I really have second thoughts about continuing to work. There are alot of other things I would rather be doing, than doing time. The stress at work mounts and crafting is really an escape for me.

The lovely and talented Meihsia, from Our Creative Corner, has a wonderful challenge for you to try. She has included an inspiration photo, and has asked that you use the colors in the photo and include a metal embellishment.

here is the photo

ok, when I first saw this photo, the first thing I thought of was the beautiful blue and white, with splashes of copper.

here is what I created:

This card was alot of fun to create. I just love the colors and the challenge of this. I really, really wanted to pair a light pink with this shade of green/blue. {smile}

The card base is more mustard card stock. The color panel is twilight, from CTMH. The main panel paper is from Echo Park. I added bits and pieces from my scrap box. The gold glitter polka dot pattern paper is from Lost and Found, Sunshine collection. The mustard houndstooth pattern paper, I'm not sure who. The yellow pattern paper used for the leaves of the paper blossom are from Teresa Collins. The white cardstock doily is a die cut from Paper Trey Ink. I did add a circle of the houndstooth pattern paper to the paper doily. I thought that it needed a splash of color. The white seam binding is an online purchase.

For my metal embellishment, I used a pearl center brad and a metal button brad. I just love the look of this distressed metal. (A little goes a long way.)

The stamp is from the Puns from the Past, stamp set. The frame is from Four Frames stamp set. I added two pearl trios at opposite corners.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Oh my goodness, am I happy that it is Friday! This has been an extra brutal week at work. I am close to point of becoming a selfish co-worker. I am sick and tired of folks taking advantage of my generosity and good natured disposition. blah, blah, blah. enough about work. . .

The wonderfully talented ladies over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday have another wonderfully executed sketch challenge for you to try this week. Once again, this week's sketch has alot of potential and room for your personal style to shine!

Here is this week's sketch:

I'm pretty sure that you know by now, that I added my own flair and creative touch to this sketch.

Here is my card for this week:

When I first saw this sketch, the very first thing I thought of was a pennant or banner hanging to create the collection of DSP. And, I just had to add some seam binding! {smile}.

The card base is basic grey card stock. I added a panel of baja breeze cardstock. I inked the En Francias text background stamp with basic grey classic ink. I did that touch and tap technique to randomly stamp the text image.

I inked the gossamer lace stamp in versa mark and used white embossing powder to create the small lace doily image. I heat embossed, and fussy cut the lace doily by hand. I inked one of my four frames stamp in basic grey classic ink.

I used my stamp-a-ma-jig to help with the placement of my sentiment. I tied some seam binding around the card front and tied a simple bow. I added a faceted designer button to the bow, to help dress it up.

I used the banner piece from the Heart a flutter emboslit to cut the banner pieces. I strung some white bakers twine through the banner pieces and left the tails. I added a trio of rhinestones to the bottom right corner, to add some bling.

I hope we have inspired you to play along with us @ SFF. We would love to see what you create!

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Sorry this is late. And the weekend is almost over { :( }. The wonderfully talented Meihsia, over @ Our Creative Corner, has a creative and lovely challenge for you to try this week. She has provided us with a photo for inspiration, as well as a few requirements: colors in the photo, fabric blossoms and a crown. How lovely is that? Here is her inspiration:

Don't you just love the soft colors and the vintage/shabby chic feel of the whole thing? I love how they incorporated bits of bling with those fabric blossoms!

here is what I made:

I have a girl friend who is quite the seamstress and so I thought of her while creating this card. I used some valentines day themed pattern paper and just added bits and pieces. I made my own button card. I added a blossom to my button card, made from felt and fabric. I added a few quick stitches with my machine, to hold the fabric blossom to the button card. I wanted to mix a metal piece with the fabric, so I added the metal crown to the button card. I just love how the crown looks so regal sitting at an angel. I machine sewn some crochet trim to the side of my card. I created my own half hazard bunching. I attached a trio of buttons with cream twine. The zipper blossom is actually made from zipper ribbon. I added the vintage pearl brad to the center. I then created a thread card to hold some seam binding. The polka dot doily I cut with a die. The bee brad is from a Basic Grey collection several years old. I thought the bee went very well with the crown. I stamped a simple sentiment, 'vintage style' in the lower right corner.

I hope you get a chance to play along with us @ OCC! We would love to see what you create!

Friday, March 1, 2013

Happy Friday, to you! I hope this week has been inspirational. If not, grab a coffee/latte/tea/coke, whatever the beverage of your choice. The talented Tammy F.from theSketch Frenzy Friday, has a fun and creative sketch for you to try this week. Here is her sketch:

For those of you who visit, know that I trade shapes for shapes. This sketch has four squares clustered together. And, I didn't use four squares. Here is my card:

The card base is very vanilla cardstock. The main panel is pool party textured cardstock. I just love this paper. It's new and in the mini catalog. You can sand the cardstock to reveal the white core. Very fun! I used my framelets to cut the basic black cardstock. I inked the text background stamp: En Francias in VersaMark ink and used white embossing powder and heat embossed the text. I used my trio blossom hand-held punch to create the blossoms. I used First Edition DSP and a scrap piece of the pool party I used for the main panel. I added a pearl center. For the fourth 'square' I opted to create a sentiment banner. Can you guess, that I just love these?! I cut a scrap piece of very vanilla cardstock to 1/2" wide. I stamped the sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set in basic black classic ink. I used a square hand-held punch to create the banner end. I used my sewing machine to secure the banner to the decorative label piece.